Lynne

Hi: <BR>Here's our quandry - that I hope you'll ponder: <BR>On the 8th of July we will be biding adieu to <BR>our farmstay in Chianti and striking out into uncharted waters on our way to Neustadt <BR>am der Weinstrasse; my husband of o-so-many <BR>years decided it would be 'fun' to 'wing it' <BR>without reservations. Okay. Some 'slight' <BR>problems are arising; to wit (or two witless) <BR>- the Mount Blanc tunnel is still closed; the <BR>Gottardo pass has construction that makes for <BR>very slow going and Verona has the Opera and <BR>no chance of two old fools finding a bed for <BR>their sorry heads. <BR>I would appreciate any creative ideas on how <BR>we can best get to our destination without <BR>sleeping in the car or murder/suicide. I realize we will have to venture off the well <BR>trod trail - which is great - but not being <BR>familiar with the area I live in fear of finding myself next to a pig farm or car <BR>factory (I know, I know all about what <BR>beggers can't be.....but still). <BR> <BR>Think of this as marriage counselling from a <BR>distance..... <BR> <BR>Thanks <BR>Lynne

Tony

Your first problem is that when I got my map out, there are about 10 Neustadts listed, none of them clearly identified as am der Wienstrasse. <BR>Do you mean the one near Vienna, or are we talking Germany. If Germany, where is yours near please.

Christine

Hi Lynne, <BR> <BR>Don't fret too much about the Gotthard Tunnel. It is possible to get through, just don't go at peak times (i.e. Friday night, Saturday morning, Sunday evening) . We drove from Italy to Switzerland via Gotthard late Saturday evening about 6 weeks ago with no delays. But on our way down earlier that day (Sat. morning) 1.5 hour queue. Since you'll be leaving a farm stay-I assume it will be a Saturday? (since most turnovers are on Sat.), no sweat just time the Pass for later in the day. We are driving to Venice next weekend from Luzern (where we live), a holiday weekend here in CH and in IT, so this will be the real test-I'll let you know how it goes. <BR> <BR>Since, you'll have a car it makes sense to just get accomodation outside of Verona, I think Paulo has made recommendations in the past (do a search). Do you have Opera tickets already? If not better get them ASAP. <BR> <BR>Helpful websites: <BR>route planner http://www.cwlease.com/cwlint/index2.htm <BR> <BR>CH route info: <BR> http://www.inforoute.ch/inforoute/en/default.htm

Lynne

Hi Tony & Christine: <BR>Thanks for responding! <BR>Neustadt am der Weinstrasse is in the <BR>Pfalz/Palatinate area - I guess Mannheim <BR>would give you a starting point on a map. <BR> <BR>Yes, Christine, we do leave on a Saturday and that was my concern - <BR>perhaps it was your previous posting <BR>that warned me about the Pass....no, <BR>in fact, we aren't going to the Opera <BR>- but it would be wonderful! I've <BR>taken some of Paulo's recommendations <BR>re hotels outside of Verona - that may <BR>be the way to go. <BR>Any more ideas would be welcomed! <BR>Lynne <BR>

s.fowler

No help I'm afraid, but I have to say this is the best post title I've seen here in a loooooooong time

Paulo

The drive from Chianti to Verona would take some 2 1/2 hours. Once you've considered spending the night there, Lynne, I take it that either you'll have a late start or you're planning to visit some of Verona. <BR> <BR>In 1997 I started looking for hotels in the Verona area kind of late and everything appeared booked. I had success with Hotel Rizzi (no relation) outside town towards northwest. <BR>http://www.traveleurope.it/h8.htm <BR> <BR>I calculate that from the Verona area to Neustadt am der Weinstrasse taking the route you're considering would take some 7+ hours nonstop with the St. Gotthard in normal conditions. If you start early on Sunday, you should be there before noon and things probably will still be ok (from Verona to the pass it's some 3+ hours). <BR> <BR>If you don't want to risk, you may consider an alternative and drive the Innsbruck- Pfronten - Kempten- Ulm- Stuttgart- Karlsruhe route instead. This would add at most 1/2 hour when compared to route through Switzerland. You'd be switching a Swiss road sticker for an Austrian one (required). Take the A22 Autostrada to Passo Brennero (a little over 2 hours from Verona) and continue on A13. Just south of Innsbruck, drive west on A12 till you hit the Telfs exit. Take B189 till you hit B314 all the way into Germany and Pfronten. There'll be a bifurcation a few miles after the Fernpass. You should take the left leg (otherwise you'll end up in Garmish Once in Pfronten the A7 autoroute lays just a few miles ahead. <BR> <BR>Should you be unlucky and not find a room in Verona, if you opt for the route through Austria, you may sleep further north in Italy (somewhere in Bolzano or Bressanone). <BR> <BR>Unfortunately I can't recomend you a hotel there ... this is "my country" and I always stay with relatives. <BR> <BR>If you care for a firm reservation and if Lit 190,000 - 240,000 depending on room class is ok with you, you may try the ****Grüner Baum in Bressanone: <BR>http://www.bestwestern.it/inglese/gr...z/e98085_a.htm <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>

Lynne

Ah Paolo - you are brilliant! <BR>Our desire is to end up in Neustadt <BR>'sometime' so we won't be driving <BR>straight through - now I have some <BR>valid options so I will reroute myself! <BR>(and the old man, too!) <BR> <BR>Thank you so much.

Lynne

Paulo: <BR> <BR>O, I'm sorry I misspelled u! <BR> <BR>